US brokers deal for limited Israeli withdrawal in south Lebanon The deal establishes a US-facilitated military coordination group to oversee the creation of two initial pilot zones in southern Lebanon. Lebanon
Explainer Gulf states push incentives for investors, expats after war dents image Several Gulf states are working to recover their images as global havens of stability in the wake of the Iran war. United Arab Emirates
Newsletter: Daily Briefing Iran insists on right to control shipping in Strait of Hormuz Supreme Court backs Trump move to end Syrians’ deportation protections; Lebanon cancels national high school exams; and more. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
As US talks stall, Hezbollah chief defiant, says Israel to leave Lebanon ’humiliated' The speech comes as the Lebanese-Israeli talks appeared to reach a deadlock this week amid Israel’s refusal to withdraw from Lebanese territory as long as Hezbollah remains armed. Lebanon
Newsletter: Daily Briefing US-Iran technical talks set to resume next week By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Analysis Pilot zones at center of Israel-Lebanon talks as Trump pressures Netanyahu By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Richard Falk Will Not Be Another Richard Goldstone UN human rights investigator Richard Falk suggests that UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has joined pro-Israel UN Watch in defamatory remarks against him. Palestine
Lebanon Seeks to Make The Most of Hydrocarbons Lebanon seeks to avoid a false euphoria and make the most of a potential oil and gas windfall. Lebanon
Lebanon’s Taif Agreement Needs Revision The Taif Agreement is still the key to Lebanon’s political compact, although it should be reviewed and amended. Lebanon
Beirut’s Historic Hamra Street No Longer Cultural Epicenter Once an epicenter for Arab and Lebanese intellectuals, Beirut’s famous Hamra Street has in recent decades been transformed by consumption-oriented establishments. Lebanon
Whether Qusair Will Tip The Balance Remains to Be Seen The defeat of Syrian opposition forces in Qusair may be a turning point toward a deepening of the conflict or a catalyst for a peace conference. Lebanon
Which Way Is Turkey Going? Are we witnessing a clash between Islamism and Kemalism in Turkey? Lebanon
US Needs Iran, Turkey For Diplomatic Surge in Syria The latest UN report on Syria calls for a “diplomatic surge” to end the war, which has reached “new levels of brutality.” Israel
UN Must Address Syrian Humanitarian Tragedy While the UN issued the biggest financial appeal in its history, a humanitarian tragedy is unfolding in Syria and for Syrian refugees abroad. Lebanon
For Hezbollah, What is VictoryIn Syria? Hezbollah grapples with the long-term objectives and consequences of its intervention in Syria. Lebanon
Qusair Victory Could Prove Fateful for Hezbollah's Future The events that unfolded in the three-week battle for Qusair will prove fateful for the future role of Hezbollah in the Syrian, as well as regional, conflict. Lebanon
